Storytellers and performers to teach and entertain at the Oklahoma City Storytelling Festival

From bedtime stories featuring three little pigs and a big bad wolf, to the anecdotes that comprise daily conversations, storytelling is no new practice.

In keeping with the ancient art's staying power, the Oklahoma City Arts Council is hosting the Oklahoma City Storytelling Festival at Kerr Auditorium, 123 Robert S. Kerr. Storytellers from across the country will gather Friday and Saturday to share stories with themes that range from comedy to inspirational.

This year, the festival features many highly acclaimed storytellers, including Grammy winner Bill Harley and National Storytelling Network's Circle of Excellence Award recipient Carol Birch. The latter will present John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath," an opportunity that has never before been granted to any other storyteller.

Although "storytelling" might give one the idea that the festival is solely meant for children, this is not the case, said Rachel Findley, the council's projects director.

"That's a common misconception," Findley said. "However, the evening performances are really for adults and cover adult material."

For younger audiences, there is the family matinee and Community Outreach Program. Teens can get a goose bump or two at "Late Night Ghost Stories," while adults can take in several performances and workshops such as "Finding Your Own Voice."

While the festival's featured performances are meant to entertain, the workshops are more interactive, serving to teach participants how to be better communicators, Findley said.

The festival is 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. both days. For more information, visit www.artscouncilokc.com. "Ta'Chelle Jones

photo Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Bill Harley is among the well-known performers tapped to teach and entertain at the Oklahoma City Storytelling Festival.